ISL 2024-25: Top five players who could retire at end of season

Some crucial players can hang up their boots at the end of ISL 2024-25.

Time marches on in professional sports, and the Indian Super League (ISL) is no different. This dynamic league has become a breeding ground for young Indian footballing talent. Every season, fresh faces brimming with potential emerge, ready to take the ISL by storm.

But amidst the rising stars, a different story unfolds for a select group of players – the seasoned veterans, the stalwarts who have weathered the storms and spearheaded the ISL’s journey. As the 2024-25 season approaches, the spotlight falls not just on the exciting new prospects, but also on these veterans who have become synonymous with the league itself.

The ISL’s journey has been intertwined with the stories of these veterans. They were the pioneers, the ones who braved uncharted territory and laid the foundation for the vibrant league it is today. They weren’t just footballers; they were the faces that captivated fans, the leaders who inspired generations, and the tacticians who brought a new dimension to Indian football.

Their battles on the pitch were legendary, their skill unmatched, and their hunger for victory infectious. As the 2024-25 season approaches, the echo of approaching retirement hangs heavy in the air. Will these aging warriors grace the pitch for one final hurrah, or will they finally decide to trade their boots for a microphone or a coach’s clipboard?

Let’s take a closer look at five veterans who might be contemplating retirement after the upcoming ISL season.

5. Cleiton Silva

Cleiton Silva’s career exploded in Thailand in 2012. After signing a 3-year deal with BEC Tero Sasana, he quickly established himself as a dominant force, winning the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer with a whopping 24 goals, even surpassing the well-known Teerasil Dangda.

In 2020, Bengaluru FC secured his talents, and he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. After a brief departure, Silva landed at East Bengal in 2022. There, he not only became a key player but also delivered a moment of magic with a crucial brace that secured their first win in a significant period. This impactful performance cemented his place as a valuable asset in the ISL.

Cleiton Silva’s recent contract extension with East Bengal guarantees another year as a key striker, but it also ignites speculation about his future beyond the 2024-25 season. At 37, Silva sits at the cusp of the twilight years for footballers. While his consistent goal-scoring prowess remains a valuable asset, as evidenced by his role as East Bengal’s top scorer last season, the upcoming campaign could very well be his final act in the ISL.

This season presents a golden opportunity for Silva to solidify his legacy as a prolific striker in the league. However, it also opens the door for a potential retirement from professional play. Should he decide to hang up his boots, his experience and leadership qualities could make him a valuable asset in a coaching role, either with East Bengal or another club. Regardless of the path he chooses, Silva’s impact on the ISL will undoubtedly be remembered.

4. Victor Vazquez

Victor Vazquez is a Spanish midfielder whose career boasts an impressive journey across continents. His journey began at the famed La Masia academy of FC Barcelona, a testament to his early promise. However, his professional path diverged, leading him to carve a successful career across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Clubs like Club Brugge in Belgium, Toronto FC in Canada, and Al-Gharafa in Qatar all witnessed his creative spark in midfield.

Despite his limited playing time at East Bengal (10 appearances), Vazquez’s impact was undeniable. His experience shone through with an impressive 86% passing accuracy, a testament to his ability to control the midfield. He also created 17 goal-scoring opportunities, showcasing his creativity and vision. However, these contributions weren’t fully reflected in assists, with only one to his name.

With the season now over and his East Bengal contract not extended, questions surround Vazquez’s future. Will he choose to hang up his boots after a decorated career? Or will he seek a new challenge, aiming to prove his worth and add another chapter to his impressive story?

3. Karanjit Singh

Karanjit Singh’s story in the ISL is one of unwavering dedication and championship glory. Drafted by Chennaiyin FC in 2015, he was part of their historic first title win despite limited playing time. Loyalty kept him with the club for several seasons, even through a loan spell at Salgaocar in 2016.

His commitment was rewarded in 2017 with a contract extension and a starting role. That season, he emerged as a star, keeping a joint-record seven clean sheets and securing another ISL title for Chennaiyin in 2018.

Valuing his experience, Chennaiyin extended his contract again in 2019, where he transitioned into a player-coach role. However, in a surprising move for the 2021 season, Karanjit joined arch-rivals Kerala Blasters as a backup goalkeeper.

Despite not playing a single game in his first year, his leadership and experience convinced the Blasters to offer him another contract extension. Finally, in January 2023, at the age of 37, Karanjit made his long-awaited debut for Kerala Blasters, keeping a clean sheet in his 50th ISL appearance. With the 2024-25 season approaching, questions linger about Karanjit’s future.

While he secured another extension with Kerala Blasters, this year might mark his final chapter in the ISL. Will he choose to hang up his gloves after a successful career, or can he defy expectations and continue his goalkeeping legacy?

2. Laxmikant Kattimani

Laxmikant Kattimani’s career in the ISL is a story of loyalty and resilience. Kattimani remained a constant presence for FC Goa despite experiencing the heartbreak of an own-goal in the 2015 ISL final. His dedication was unwavering, even after a brief loan stint with Mumbai in 2016.

Upon returning to Goa, Kattimani’s commitment was rewarded with a permanent three-year contract in 2017. He continued to solidify his position as Goa’s number one with subsequent contract extensions, before ultimately seeking a new challenge with Hyderabad FC.

Signing a two-year deal with Hyderabad marked a new chapter in Kattimani’s ISL journey, showcasing his adaptability and desire to keep proving himself as a top goalkeeper in the league.

His defining moment came with Hyderabad FC. Kattimani was instrumental in their historic 2021-22 ISL championship win, his heroics in the penalty shootout proving decisive. However, a facial injury sustained in a collision with Cleiton Silva sidelined him for most of the following season.

Despite a strong comeback, financial constraints at Hyderabad have left him without a contract. Now, with a transfer ban imposed on the club, Kattimani faces a crucial decision. As one of the senior-most Indian players in the league, his experience and leadership remain valuable assets.

Will he defy the odds and find a new club, or will this mark the end of an impactful ISL career? All eyes are on Kattimani as he navigates this uncertain phase, hoping to continue his legacy as a top Indian goalkeeper.

1. Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri’s name is synonymous with Indian football. His dazzling footwork, ferocious goal-scoring, and unwavering leadership have captivated fans for over a decade. The 2024 season, however, ushered in a new chapter – Chhetri’s emotional retirement from international football. While this decision sent shockwaves through the Indian sporting community, it also fueled speculation about his future with Bengaluru FC, his club since 2017.

Since joining the club in 2017, Chhetri has become a Bengaluru FC legend. His electrifying presence on the pitch and his knack for finding the net have captivated fans, making him the second-highest goalscorer of all time in the ISL. Last year, Chhetri further solidified his commitment to Bengaluru FC by extending his contract for another year.

However, with his international career now a closed chapter, speculation swirls around his future as a player. The upcoming ISL season could be Chhetri’s final hurrah in the blue of Bengaluru FC. Will he choose to retire at the season’s end, leaving a legacy that will inspire generations of footballers to come?

All eyes will be on Chhetri as he takes the field, eager to witness if the legendary striker will take a final bow or continue his reign as a Bengaluru FC icon.

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